Bold plans to break down barriers to opportunity, hold
universities to account, and put the post-16 education system on
a firmer financial footing have been unveiled as part of the
government's plan for national renewal.
Higher education reforms in the landmark Post-16 Education and
Skills White Paper will ensure disadvantaged students are no
longer priced out of university. Maintenance loans will
automatically increase each year, with the biggest cash increases
going to those from the lowest-income households, after the
Education Secretary recently announced targeted maintenance
grants will also be reintroduced.
The announcement follows data showing the gap in university
entrance rates between disadvantaged pupils and their better off
peers had grown to its widest since records began in 2005.
Last year tuition fees were increased in line with inflation for
the first time since 2017. The Office for Students is forecasting
43% of institutions will be in deficit without further action to
shore up their finances.
To support universities in continuing to deliver world-class
teaching and research, tuition fees will rise in line with
forecast inflation for the next two academic years. Legislation
will then be brought forward, when parliamentary time allows, to
enable automatic increases to fee caps in future years in line
with inflation but only for institutions that meet tough new
quality thresholds set by the Office for Students.
This means universities will need to earn the right to access
future fee uplifts by delivering strong outcomes for students and
meeting the Office for Students' tough new standards.
Education Secretary said:
Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by
a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to
deliver it.
This government and this White Paper will change that – restoring
the prestige of higher and further education so every person, in
every part of our country, has the chance to get on.
Universities charge significant fees for their courses. If they
are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver
the world-class education students expect.
These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards
across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the
skills our economy needs.
Where standards fall short, the Office for Students will act
quickly to stop the expansion of low-quality courses and hold
providers to account. Universities that underperform could face
financial and regulatory consequences, ensuring public money is
spent only on courses that deliver for students and the
economy.
The government will also tighten controls on franchising
arrangements to protect public money and take action against the
abuse of the system by recruitment agents.
The new measures unveiled today build on earlier announcements
from the Prime Minister, including a new target for two-thirds of
young people to participate in higher-level learning– academic,
technical, or apprenticeships – by age 25, up from 50% today. A
sub-target will ensure at least 10% of young people pursue higher
technical education or apprenticeships by age 25 by 2040, a near
doubling of today's figure.
This will be supported by the automatic backstop to ensure all
young people have access to high-quality routes that meet
employers' needs, enhanced by local skills planning to drive
growth across England.
Higher and further education will be more flexible and accessible
for people at every stage of their working lives, supported by
the introduction of Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
Learners will be able to move between universities, colleges and
training providers, building up qualifications over time to fit
their evolving needs and ambitions. A consultation next year will
look at introducing new “break points” within degrees, so
students can gain recognised qualifications as they progress
through higher education.
The government will also work with universities and local
authorities to ensure they offer adequate accommodation for their
students and support efforts to drive down the cost of
living.
A new national access and participation task and finish group,
chaired by access and participation Champion Professor Kathryn
Mitchell, will tackle regional university ‘cold spots' and break
down systemic barriers that disadvantaged students face when
trying to access higher education.
